Witches shoot up the Championship table after victory over Redcar

Cameron Heeps (blue) and Rory Schlein lead Mikkel B Andersen in the opening heat. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Ipswich Witches shot up four places in the Championship table with victory over Redcar Bears at Foxhall Stadium tonight.

This was much needed for a Suffolk side who had made three team changes in the week, but the lowly Bears didnt make it easy, despite the home team flying into an early eight-point lead.

But overall the home side had too much and it was two of those changes, Mark Riss and Coty Garcia who sealed victory in heat 14.

Ipswich looked as though they were going to put the Bears well and truly to the sword, but the north-east visitors never gave up.

Rory Schlein and injured skipper Danny King. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Rory Schlein was solid for the Witches and Nico Covatti would have had more but for engine problems while leading heat five. Cameron Heeps started like a train, but faded a tad. But this was a confidence boost for the Foxhall outfit, who travel to Redcar next Thursday in the return.

The Witches got off to the perfect start as Rory Schlein and Cameron Heeps streaked from the start – Ben Barker missed the gate.

Barker chased well, but the Witches were too quick.

Garcia hit the tapes in the next, but rode a great race starting 15 metres back to pass Jordan Stewart, much to the delight of the home fans – to split the visiting duo.

Nico Covatti and Mark Riss congratulate each other on a 5-1. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The Witches were at it again in heat three with another maximum, as Riss gated well, while partner Nico Covatti barged Jonas Andersen out of the way on turn four. Schlein produced a fine pass on Thomas Jorgensen in the next, although Covatti suffered engine problems and had to pull out of heat five, while ahead.

But the Witches were in control and Heeps produced a stunning piece of action in heat six, tracking and eventually passing Jorgensen after a titanic effort. The Witches were eight up and Riss’ fine debut continued as he gated from the inside to win the next.

Heeps made a mess of heat eight after such a fine ride in his previous outing, although Garcia split the Bears duo as Redcar pulled two points back. The Bears hadn’t given up despite their poor start to the meeting, Jorgensen again impressing as he passed Riss on lap two of heat nine.

Jonas Andersen held off all the attentions of Heeps and Schlein in a titanic heat 10 as the Bears produced another heat winner and Covatti showed his style with a tapes to flag win in heat 11.

But the Witches couldn’t put serious daylight between themselves and the Bears.

Jorgensen was a tactical rider in heat 12 and when he won again – the Witches lead was down to four. But Jorgensen fell on the first turn in heat 13 and was excluded. He was not happy, but the Witches took advantage to stretch their lead to six.

And although Jonas Andersen completed a good night for him in heat 14, the shared heat was enough for a home win.

Meanwhile, Rory Schlein and Nico Covatti represent the Witches at Somerset tomorrow night, in the Championship Pairs.

Ipswich: R Schlein 14, C Heeps 7+2, N Covatti 9+3, M Riss 12, R/R, D Wallinger 0, C Garcia 6+1

Redcar: B Barker 6, R/R, D Berge 5+1, J Andersen 12, T Jorgensen 13, M Andersen 3, J Stewart 3+1

Heat details

1 Schlein, Heeps, Barker, M Andersen 55.8 5-1

2 M Andersen, Garcia, Stewart, Wallinger 59.4 7-5

3 Riss, Covatti, J Andersen, Berge 57.8 12-6

4 Schlein, Jorgensen, Garcia, Stewart 57.7 16-8

5 J Andersen, Riss, Barker, Covatti (e/f) 58.8 18-12

6 Heeps, Jorgensen, Schlein, M Andersen 57.7 22-14

7 Riss, J Andersen, Berge, Wallinger 58.0 25-17

8 Berge, Garcia, Stewart, Heeps 57.8 27-21

9 Jorgensen, Riss, Covatti, M Andersen 58.0 30-24

10 J Andersen, Schlein, Heeps, Berge 58.1 33-27

11 Covatti, Barker, Stewart, Wallinger 57.6 36-30

12 Jorgensen*, Covatti, Berge, Garcia 58.5 38-34

13 Schlein, Barker, Heeps, Jorgensen (f/x) 57.9 42-36

14 J Andersen, Riss, Garcia, Stewart 59.1 45-39

15 Jorgensen, Schlein, Covatti, J Andersen 58.3 48-42

*tac ride

Ipswich 3 pts. Redcar 1 pt

Championship

P Pts

Peterborough 13 32

Lakeside 11 25

Glasgow 10 19

Berwick 12 19

Workington 9 17

Ipswich 9 14

Newcastle 10 14

Edinburgh 9 14

Sheffield 11 13

Scunthorpe 11 13

Redcar 13 10